Chapter Nineteen: Phil's POV*

 We walked to school like normal, as if nothing had happened and that thought made me relieved and disappointed at the same time. How can someone pretend such an intimate situation never existed? It had been running through my mind all weekend and it started to hurt.

I wanted Dan so much. I was sure I had dropped enough hints, I thought he had as well. If we talked about it I'd have probably had the courage to tell him how I felt despite his experience with relationships - I'd try be what he deserved. However, since we didn't talk about it I wasn't so sure, maybe he wanted to forget on purpose? Maybe I was taking in all the wrong signals.

Maybe being singled out by a wink or a smile was nothing. Maybe getting stared at so fondly was only a trick of my imagination. Maybe having tickle fights and snuggling up to movies was purely platonic, and maybe kissing me like he had was just a pure act of being drunk. 

I bit my lip to stop it quivering. I was waiting for Chris, PJ and Dan. We were all going to head out for lunch. I was standing next to my locker where we had agreed to meet. There was so much evidence that he did like me and if he brought it up I'd not hesitate to tell him. It's just if I brought it up I was scared he'd try to avoid the conversation and if that happened maybe we'd grow apart. Another terrifying aspect is the fact that telling him might scare him away since his experience with relationships is not good. 

He promised he'd be more social but who knows if was going to keep his promise if things went downhill. If he ditched me, would he ditch Chris and PJ? Go back to being 'The Lonely Prince'? I really hoped he didn't.

"YO PHILLIP!" Chris called down the hall, snapping me out of my depressing thoughts. My cheeks turned red as people turned to look at me. I glared at Chris as he joined me with PJ and Dan. I avoided Dan's gaze, not feeling like talking to him. 

"Chris you dick. Can you not scream my name to the world?" I huffed.

"Sorry mate. NOW! Lets get the hell out of this dump and get some food." Chris spoke enthusiastically. They haden't brought up what happened at the party either and I was afraid they would. 

Dan's POV*

PJ hung behind with me whilst Phil and Chris started talking.

"So ..." PJ started. I looked down, already knowing where the conversation was going. "Have you confessed your undying love yet?" He chuckled.

"No." I put bluntly. He frowned.

"What? I thought you had a moment at the party. Didn't you two ... y'know? Get it on!" PJ teased.

"Well ... yeah. I'm just too scared to say something. I'm waiting for him to bring it up, but maybe he doesn't want to remember-" I was cut off by a slap to the back of the head. "Ow!" I exclaimed. PJ gave me a flat look.

"Stop talking bullshit, I'm so done with listening to you go on about how he'll never love you. I strongly believe that if you just dropped the bullshit and asked him out things would go pretty smoothly. You've seen the hints, the signs, for fucks sake man get your head out your ass and just take the bloody opportunity! GOD! I'm so done with being patient, you have the perfect excuse to talk to him so use it!" PJ suddenly ranted. 

My eyes widened in shock at his statement and honestly hearing it made me feel a little stupid. I just needed to get over the past and ask him out. It's not like he'd reject me brutally if it turned out he didn't want to. We'd still be friends and I could settle with friends if it didn't work out. I looked ahead at Phil and felt a small boost of courage. 

"Alright, I'll do it." I finally answered.

"Thank god!" PJ grinned.

"But not now, after school. I'll invite him over." I explained.

"Alright but if I find out you didn't do anything I'll drag you to Phil and tell him myself, got it?" PJ threatened. I gulped and nodded.

We settled down on the grass with the other two and joined in the conversation.

~

It was nearing the end of lunch and I had to invite Phil over before I missed the opportunity. I was about to speak up when Chris interrupted.

"It's weird ... I haven't seen Anton in a while. I hope he isn't plotting revenge or anything stupid." Chris chuckled. I was about to chuckle with him but then his words sunk in. We haden't seen him in a while and the thought made me uneasy and a sick feeling wash over me. I looked at Phil who looked equally disturbed.

"Well if he comes anywhere near us I'll batter him." I spoke up, to ease Phil's nerves more than mine. He smiled at me. "So Phil, wanna come over after school?" I asked, out of Chris and PJ's hearing range. Phil looked a little surprised.

"Oh ... um, sure okay." He replied a little nervously. I could only guess because of previous events. I was going to do it though ... no chickening out.

Phil's POV*

I was extremely anxious for meeting Dan after school and spending time with him. If he wasn't going to bring up what happened I would because I had had enough of waiting. I wanted to know what was happening once and for all.

I had to finish some homework in the library so told Dan I'd be a little late out of school and that he might have to wait twenty minutes. Dan told me he didn't mind. As I finished up the last on the school computer I saved it and logged out. I sighed, grabbed my bag and left the building. 

I walked round the corner, expecting to see Dan and frowned when I saw nobody leaning up against the wall beside the school gates. I got my phone out and texted him.

'Where are you? ~ Phil' Not only a minute later there was a reply.
'I had to get my jacket from my locker, on my way X ~ Dan' The kiss at the end made my heart flutter and I grinned stupidly to myself.

It was short lived however because I heard footsteps and looked up to a stomach dropping sight. Anton is power walking towards me with a nasty look on his face. Before I could react I was shoved against the wall roughly, making me cry out.

I cringed when he smashed his lips to mine, kissing me forcefully. I yelled against his lips and tried pushing against him but he hit me in the stomach, making me shriek into his mouth. Old bruises which was on the verge of recovering were aching all over again. Anton pulled off me with a maniacal grin and punched me in the face, making me whimper in pain. 

He proceeded to throw me to the ground and kick me in the side. I released a pain filled groan and curled in on myself as he continued to kick and punch me. "How does that feel Lester? Just like old times eh?" He cackled. "DO YOU LOVE ME NOW? HUH?" He yelled, kicking me extra hard in the ribs and making me scream.

My eyesight was blurring, close to passing out. Suddenly I heard a voice yelling and some commotion go on. I heard the unmistakable crunch of bones being broken and someone being pushed against a wall. I groaned, my abdomen throbbing with pain.

"PHIL!" I heard a voice yell and I looked up to see Dan's worried face above me. I already relaxed when I saw his face. "Oh god, come on. I'll get you back to mine as quick as possible." He rambled, looking so worried, it made me feel a little better. I yelped a little as he helped me to my feet since every inch of my top half was stinging and throbbing in pain. "Sorry." He apologized and I shook my head. 

I turned my head and raised my eyebrows when I saw Anton slumped against the wall with a bloody nose. "Did you kill him?" I asked, alarmed.

"No." Dan chuckled. "I really wanted to but I just knocked him out." Dan explained. "I'm going to call a cab."

~

I hissed a little when Dan wiped over his cuts and bruises, patching them up with bandages. I felt ashamed when Dan saw my injuries again but he only smiled at me. "There we go." Dan sighed, handing me my shirt. 

"Thanks." I whispered.

"No problem, you're lips bleeding and there's a bruise on your cheek. I'll clean it but the bruise will have to leave after time." Dan inspected, his face very close to mine and making me a little flustered. He picked up another wet wipe and started dabbing at my lip and jaw. I giggled.

"I can do that myself." then hissed again as he went over the cut which was a little swollen.

"I know." Dan said softly, not taking his eyes away. I blushed but grinned, not caring when it hurt. "Keep smiling like that and you'll make the cut bigger." Dan teased.

"I don't care." I sighed, staring at his beautiful eyes. Once he finished we both sat against his head board, propped up by a mountain of pillows and getting comfortable. 

"Text your mum and ask her if you can stay over. I don't think you're in great condition to go home." Dan mumbled, pulling me to his side. 

"Ok." I got my phone out my pocket and quickly texted her, not bothering to check if she replied. She'd know where I was if there was a problem. After a moments silence Dan spoke up.

"Phil ... we need to talk about what happened at the party." He sighed. I felt my heart beat pick up.

"Yeah, I think we do." I replied, a little breathlessly.

"It's alright if you go back on what you said ... If you don't like me that way just say." Dan sighed.

"Dan?" 

"Yeah?" 

"Can I just kiss you now?" I asked, bringing all the confidence I had left. I was so tired of waiting. Dan gaped at me for a second before smiling and blushing. He gently took my chin and guided me closer. He hesitated.

"I don't want to hurt you." He whispered.

"You won't I respect your past and everything I just-"

"No Phil-" He giggled. "I mean I don't want to hurt you because of your lip." He chuckled.

"Oh, well I don't care about that anyway." I giggled and leaned forward, finally being able to kiss him. I sighed and let my hands slide into his hair, pulling him closer. My lips stung but I didn't care, I was finally kissing Dan after all this time. I began to move our lips together since Dan was being cautious about my injuries. I pressed a little more firmly to show Dan I was okay. He seemed to get the message because we were suddenly passionately making out. His tongue slid along my bottom lip and without hesitation I opened up. I moaned a little when our tongues touched, making him smiled against me. Once oxygen was lacking a bit too much we finally pulled away, laughing as we went.

"I've wanted to do that for ages." He sighed once we calmed down and lightly brushed my fringe out of my face. I closed my eyes, loving his touch. 

"Me too." I smiled.

"Will you be my boyfriend Phil?" Dan asked.

"I'd be stupid to decline after the way you just kissed me." I grinned and kissed him again.

"Is that you're answer?"He mumbled against my lips.

"Yes."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FINISHED

~HelloAnonymousWriter~